Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;Gypsy Queen&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Gypsy Queen’ particularly characterized by flowers which are purple/violet with purple stripes; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Phalaenopsis hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Gypsy Queen’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Gypsy Queen’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Gypsy Queen’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Gypsy Queen’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 1999 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Happy Valentine’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Sweet Melody’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘GypsyQueen’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single floweringplant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environmentin 2007 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culturewas first performed in November, 2007 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, TheNetherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Gypsy Queen’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. flowers which are purple/violet with purple stripes;

2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;

3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissueculture;

4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and

5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Gypsy Queen’, the femaleparent ‘Happy Valentine’ has dark pink flowers and the male parent‘Sweet Melody’ has striped pink colored flowers, whereas the flowers of‘Gypsy Queen’ are purple/violet with purple stripes.

Presently, there is no other commercial cultivar to which ‘Gypsy Queen’can be meaningfully compared.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Gypsy Queen’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Gypsy Queen’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Gypsy Queen’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical buds and flowers of ‘GypsyQueen’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Gypsy Queen’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Gypsy Queen’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Gypsy Queen’as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘GypsyQueen’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the floweringphase of ‘Gypsy Queen’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C.during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘GypsyQueen’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. Abalanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K isapplied. Duration of growth of ‘Gypsy Queen’ from potting size isbetween 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Gypsy Queen’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Happy Valentine’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Sweet Melody’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 3 mm-7            mm wide and yellow/green in color (RHS 144A); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height: about 68 cm Spread: about 60 cm.        -   Growth habit.—standard; dark green leaves and a relatively            normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 2 peduncles with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 to 8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—oval, the tip is blunt.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—3 to 4 pairs of leaves.        -   Mature leaf length.—about 14 to 23 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—about 6 to 11 mm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 1.5 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—upper side: green (RHS N137B) Under side:            yellow/green (RHS 146B) some have red/purple edges (RHS            59A).        -   Leaf base.—acute.        -   Margin.—entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS N137A) under side: yellow/green (RHS 146C).-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—about 2.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—about 8 to 20.        -   Length.—about 65 cm.        -   Diameter.—about 6 mm.        -   Strength.—strong.        -   Aspect.—upright.        -   Texture.—glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—At the bottom purple (RHS N77A) and some RHS 146B.            Closer to the top RHS 146B and some RHS N77A.        -   Internode.—Length: about 30 to 45 mm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 21 mm to 25 mm            Diameter (at midpoint): about 15 mm to 22 mm Shape:            egg-shaped/oval Color: Main color is purple (RHS 77A) at the            base some green/yellow (RHS 145B) and violet stripes (RHS            86A).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 2            racemes appear with about 16 to 20 flower buds and flowers            per inflorescence. First flowers can be expected            approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a plant with a            leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—no fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: see FIG. 2 Size:            Height: about 60 mm to 80 mm Diameter: about 67 mm to 95 mm            Depth of tube: about 15 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: six petals that are            trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are            more pronounced than sepals Arrangement: Inner whorl of            petals comprises 3 petals, 2 lateral petals and labellum. 2            lateral petals: Overall shape: broadly ovate and weakly            cupped Apex: oval Margin: entire and weakly undulate Base:            broadly ovate Length: about 45 mm Width: about 35 mm            Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny Under surface:            smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened): upper side:            Main color is purple/violet (RHS N80A). Base and edges are            white (RHSNN155C). At the base some purple stripes/spots            (RHS N80A and RHS 77A). Under side: edges and base are a            white (RHS NN155C). Main color is purple/violet (RHS N80A)            and purple/violet stripes (RHS N81A). Labellum: Overall            shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at central            junction of the lateral lobes and base of the midlobe.            Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward about the column; the            midlobe extends forward and is terminated by 2 short            filiform appendages at the apex. Lateral lobes of the            labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe is triangular            with a bump and a rib on it Margin: entire Apex: oval            Length: about 21 mm Width (not flattened): about 20 mm            Texture: Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny Color            (when fully opened): Midlobe: upper surface: Main color is            red/purple (RHS 72A). At the base some yellow (RHS 9A) and            in the center a purple vein (RHS 79A). Under surface: main            color is purple (RHS 77A), left and right red/purple (RHS            71A) in the center some purple (RHS 77B) and at the end a            small spot of white (RHS NN155C). Lateral lobs: upper            surface: base and edges are white (RHS NN155C) upper edge at            base yellow (RHS 9A). Then red/purple (RHS 59A) which runs            into purple (RHS 77A) . Under surface: main color is            purple/violet (RHS N80A). Base and edges are white (RHS            NN155C) with small stroke of yellow (RHS 9D). At the end            some red/purple (RHS 59A). Chirri: about 18 mm, long and a            little bit curly at the end with point in the middle color:            purple (RHS 79B) with white tips (RHS NN155C) Pestle            (Callosities): Length: about 7 mm Width (not flattened):            about 6 mm Color: white on the sides and a little bit inside            (RHS NN155C). Edges and V notch yellow (RHS 9A) with            red/purple spots/stripes (RHS 59A).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals. Overall            shape: egg-shaped and weakly cupped Margin: entire and            weakly undulate Length: about 38 mm Width: about 30 mm Apex:            oval with small point Texture: bold and light curly Upper            and under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully            opened): upper side: Main color dorsal sepal is            purple/violet (RHS N80A). the base and a small edge are            white (RHS NN155C). Stripes are purple (RHS 77A). Main color            lateral sepals is RHS N80A. Base and edges are white (RHS            NN155C). Stripes are purple (RHS 77A). From the base a vague            yellow/green mark (RHS 150D) and some red/purple spots (RHS            72A). Under side: dorsal at the base thin white edge (RHS            NN155C). Main color is purple (RHS 77B) with red/purple            stripes (RHS 72A). At the lateral sepals there is at the            base also a vague yellow/green mark (RHS 145D).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 11 mm Diameter: about 6 mm Color:            purple/violet (RHS N80A).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two Diameter: about 1 mm Color: orange            (RHS 25A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 4 mm Diameter: about 6 mm Color: white            (RHS NN155C).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 32 mm Diameter: about 3 mm Texture:            glabrous and smooth Color: green (RHS N137A) to yellow/green            (RHS 145C) and red/purple (RHS 59A) to red/purple (RHS 62D).-   Disease/pest resistance/ susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Gypsy Queen’, as illustrated and described herein.